Chapter 55 55 – Grave Visit

After telling his plan to Amber and Ibaraki, Kai didn't spend a minute longer asking the servant where Kirimaru was. Unexpectedly, the servant said the Oni chief was at the destroyed site to supervise how the restoration was ongoing.

The group of three then went to the restoration zone. They had no real belonging, so they could move immediately.

Kai was also about to tell Chigusa that he was leaving, but Amber told him the Miko had already left last night. He had no choice but to go straight to Kirimaru in that case. For the other guests… He didn't even meet them when he stayed, so he didn't feel obliged to tell them about his leaving.

"So you're leaving?" That was Kirimaru's question when Kai told him he was about to leave. "Thanks for everything, Kai. Thanks to you, the damage that Boogeyman caused was minimal. Feel free to return here anytime. The Oni will always welcome you!" He patted Kai's shoulder with a wide grin.

"Yeah, thanks," Kai replied with a smile. "Then we will go first. Good luck with the restoration."

"Oh! Sure!"

He and his group then left the Oni Village on foot. The Onis didn't even question why Ibaraki was tagging along with them. When he asked Amber, the Phoenix girl replied that the news of Ibaraki serving him had spread all across the village; hence they weren't surprised.

Then, there was one thing bothering him still. As they walked down the mountain, he decided to ask.

"What about Ibaraki's horns? Will she use something that the Onis use to hide her appearance?"

"Yes, Master." Ibaraki nodded slightly and put her hands on her horns. Next, a black aura leaked from her hands, covering her horns. Her horns disappeared like there was nothing there to begin with. "Is it good enough?" She tilted her head with an aloof expression.

"Yeah, that's great."

He was amazed by Ibaraki's skill in hiding her horns. No, not just Ibakari, but all of the Supernatural races. They could use their Spirit Power to hide their unique features from normal people, which was amazing.

It also made him realize how he lacked a basic skill necessary for all people in the Supernatural World. He could only make a basic barrier, and that was it.

They continued walking in pleasant silence. Ibaraki looked like a curious kid who had never seen something new. She looked around curiously, and the edge of her lips curled up slightly.

When they arrived at the foot of the mountain, Kai stretched his arms upward and then exclaimed, "Let's stop at a flower shop."

Both of the girls nodded in response.

***

The cemetery where Kai's mother's grave was located was near Yasaka Shrine. In Japan, it was expected to bring some food and sake to the grave for the deceased.

And that was what Kai did. He heard from his grandpa a short while ago that his mother really liked drinking too. So he brought a big bottle of cheap sake, which was apparently her favorite, with him.

Of course, he also brought a bouquet of white lilies, a flower that symbolizes purity and rebirth. His mother's tombstone was located near the Ashiya family's instead of his father's for a reason. They died in a different place, and it was impossible to move them overseas at that time.

He had visited the grave once. Only once. That time, he visited with his grandpa a week after his parents died. His memories weren't all that great, but he still remembered where the grave was located.

Soon, he found a tombstone with the name of his mother, Suzuka.

"This is your mother's grave, Kai?" Amber asked, looking at the tombstone.

Ibaraki also looked at the tombstone for a while before looking around the area. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't say anything.

"Yes. Her name is Suzuka."

Kai answered Amber and crouched in front of the tombstone, putting the flower bouquet in front of it.

He only remembered a part of Japanese culture when visiting a grave, so he just improvised it. Opening up the sake, he poured it on top of the tombstone and only left half of the content before putting it beside the flower.

The grave was unexpectedly clean like someone was taking care of it. He didn't know who that was, but he was grateful for that person.

Then he just looked at the tombstone and smiled slightly.

"Mom, I have found them." He said with a happy tone. "Supernatural and Mythical creatures are real, you know? Did you know about it, I wonder? It's a shame I can't show them to you. They are really good girls."

Even without looking back to Amber and Ibaraki, who stood behind him, he could still feel their gaze on him. It felt warm.

"I also went to Oni Village, a hidden village on Mount Oe. You know what? The girl with black hair behind me is the Ibaraki Douji, the Oni that you always tell me about." He glanced at Ibaraki for a second before turning back. "She's really strong and can crush a boulder easily."

"Master…" Ibaraki muttered shyly.

"Then Amber here is a Phoenix. An immortal bird that fly to the sky."

"You made me shy, Kai." Amber commented from behind while holding her cheek, but Kai ignored it and continued.

"I haven't met the Dragon King of the West, but I want to meet the Dragon someday. Maybe I can meet it if I keep searching in the Supernatural World. That's why don't worry and just rest peacefully. Your son can protect himself now."

Kai took the sake bottle and poured the rest of the content on the tombstone. Then he stayed silent for a while, closing his eyes as he prayed with his hands put together.

Ibaraki and Amber looked at each other before doing the same. They respected the lady who gave birth to Kai and thanked her. They were undoubtedly grateful to her for bringing their master to the world.

It was at that silent moment footsteps could be heard from the side, approaching where they were softly. With Kai's newly heightened senses, he got from contracting with Ibaraki Douji; he noticed the footsteps and opened his eyes slowly, standing up and turning to the side.

Of course, the Oni also noticed the footsteps. In fact, she had noticed it long before Kai or Amber could hear it. They also stood up and stood warily behind Kai.

Approaching them slowly was a bald elderly man with a walking cane. He looked really old, and his back was hunched. However, when he saw Kai, he stopped on his track.

"Y-Y-You…" His trembling hand was pointed at Kai, and his cracking old voice escaped his trembling lips. "C-Could it be? You!"

The elderly man suddenly gained vigor and approached Kai at a fast speed that was impossible to be achieved by normal humans. He was suddenly in front of Kai and grabbed his arms.

When a soft thud of the cane hit the ground, Kai got back to his senses and looked at the man in front of him.

But he felt no danger coming from the old man. Instead, he felt a bit nostalgic. So he stopped the two girls that were about to attack the man from behind by sending them a telepathic message.

'It's okay.'

"As I expected!" The elderly man's voice trembled in joy. "You're Suzuka's son, Kai! You're Kai, aren't you?!"

"Yes." Kai nodded.

"I see! You're really Kai!" The old man laughed cheerfully as he patted Kai on the shoulder. "You've become big. I see that Marcus did his job raising you like a real man! I see… I see…"